Three-dimensional display device

ABSTRACT

A 3D image display device with high resolution is disclosed. The device may deflect left and right eye images to a left and right eye of a viewer, respectively. As such, the viewer may see 3D images. The 3D image display device includes a plurality of electrically switchable light modulating cells containing two incompatible light modulating mediums. When a voltage is applied to electrodes of the electrically switchable light modulating cell, the interface between the incompatible light modulating mediums non-horizontally deforms corresponding to the electrowetting or electrostatic concept. The geometrical shape, size, and material of partition walls in the electrically switchable light modulating cells may reduce or eliminate misplacement of incompatible light modulating mediums while voltages are applied thereto. In addition, the method of manufacturing the 3D image display device is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a three-dimensional (3D) image displaydevice, and in particular relates to a naked-eye type 3D image displaydevice, and an image display device, and electrically switchable lightmodulating cells thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In Nature 425, 383 (2003), Hayes et al. discloses a novel on/off switchmethod, which applies an electrowetting principle to control coloredoils. This technology has several advantages such as high colorsaturation, high image response speed, and low energy consumption, ascompared to conventional technologies. Therefore, electrowetting wassoon applied in the display technology field thereafter.

In U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0257111, a tunable optical arraydevice includes a substrate on which a TFT tuning circuitry is disposedthereon for controlling an upper layered cell array, as shown in FIG. 1.Two incompatible fluids having different polarities are filled in cellsof the cell array, and the shape of the interface between the fluids iscontrolled by lower layered TFT tuning circuitry. Accordingly, phasemodulation and beam deflection of light beams traveling through the cellarray may be controlled. Also disclosed are driving methods of the TFTtuning circuitry. However, using a TFT driving mechanism maydramatically reduce the aperture ratio of the display. While aninterconnect layer is also disclosed, the brightness of the display isreduced by the multi-layered structure of the interconnect layer. Anelectrowetting display having multiple cells is applied in a holographicreconstruction system. Interference fringes of light beams are generatedthrough the electrowetting cells. The electrowetting display may deflectthe light beams traveling therethrough to the eyes of a viewer. Althoughthe electrowetting display may deflect light beams, it lacks the conceptof time-multiplexing. The electrowetting device may be applied inretro-reflective panels, image projection devices, and holographicprojection reconstructing equipments.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,474,470, titled “Devices and methods for redirectinglight”, discloses a light redirecting device including a display elementand a plurality of redirecting elements thereon, as shown in FIG. 2.There is no special structure or hydrophilic layer on interior surfaces106 a-c of the redirecting element, such that liquids L1 and L2 may bemisplaced. The liquids L1 and L2 are incompatible, and interface shapebetween the liquids may be controlled by a top electrode 110. Byswitching the electrode, the liquid interface forms several shapes toredirect light for display 3D images. In addition, the light directionmay not be exactly controlled due to the fact that the contact angle ofthe liquids may mistake while a voltage is applied to the lightredirecting element.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,817,343, titled “Electrowetting lens”, discloses anelectrowetting lens, which includes two fluids of different polarities.The liquid surface may be controlled by applying same voltages to firstand second electrodes, respectively. For saving the energy, only theelectrodes near the liquid surface (not all electrodes) are driven bythe voltage. However, this design needs a specific circuit layout toindividually control each electrode, and it may increase designcomplexity.

In related arts, liquid lenses made of mini-scaled capillary arraydevices have been manufactured by micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)processes. The capillary surface may be an interface between a gas and aliquid or between two liquids, and the shape of the interface isdetermined by surface tension of the liquids. In Applied Physics Letters87, pp. 134102 (2005), Hirsa et al. published a paper titled“Electrochemically Activated Adaptive Liquid Lens”, a reversiblecapillary switch having low energy consumption is formed on a singlechip.

U.S. Publication No. 2009/0316003, titled “Pinned-contact oscillatingliquid lens and image system”, discloses an oscillating liquid lens,which utilizes the capillary force between the liquid droplet and thechannel of the liquid lens to support the liquid droplet. The liquidlens is driven by changing the chamber pressure, thereby deforming afirst part of the liquid droplet and a second part of the liquiddroplet. As such, an incident light traveling through the chamber may befocused or diffused.

Displays capable of showing stereoscopic images or animation are calledthree-dimensional (3D) image displays. Major developments in the 3Ddisplay fields have led to two types of technologies: a polarizedglasses type and a naked-eye type. Meanwhile, 3D display effects mayalso be theoretically accomplished by using holography. However,holography needs small pixels and huge memory/calculation speeds. Thenaked-eye type is an easier 3D display method due to the fact that onlya beam control element is located, such as a barrier layer or alenticular lens, directly before the display. As such, the deflectdirection of the light beam may be changed or controlled by thenaked-eye type, such that right eye images and left eye images may bedeflected into the right eye and the left eye of a viewer, respectively.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,954, titled “Lens with variable focus”, a lenshaving an adjustable focal length is disclosed. The lens includes achamber filled by a first fluid and a second fluid, wherein thedroplet-shaped second fluid contacts the chamber surface. The first andsecond fluids are transparent fluids of different refractive indexes,and they are incompatible to each other. An electrode is plated on thechamber surface to contact and surround the chamber surface. Because thefirst and second fluids have different fluid properties, the interfacecurvature ratio between the first and second fluids may be changed byapplying an external voltage. The focal length of the incident light maybe adjusted by changing the interface curvature ratio between the firstand second fluids.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,688,509, titled “AUTOSTEREOSCOPIC DISPLAY”, disclosesliquid lenses, collocated with splitting screens, to display 3D images.The electrodes in an electrowetting cell include side electrodes and abottom electrode. The electrowetting lens is operable by applyingdifferent voltages to the side electrodes and the bottom electrode, suchthat a curvature ratio or a tilt ratio of the interference of the twoincompatible fluids is tuned to modulate the emission direction of lightbeams traveling therethrough.

According to related arts, the light modulating element manufactured ofthe electrowetting concept has problems as below. The polar andnon-polar solvents injected in the light modulating element have similardensities. When the adhesive force between the liquids and the surfaceof the light modulating element is insufficient, the first and secondliquids may be misplaced. Furthermore, the first fluid surface is easilydeformed when applied with a voltage, and the first and second fluidsare easily misplaced due to insufficient adhesive forces between theliquids and the surface of the light modulating element. Even if theapplied voltage is stopped, the tension between the polar liquid andsurrounding object is too small to make the polar fluid return back itsoriginal shape/position.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an electrically switchablelight modulating cell, including a first substrate, a first and secondelectrodes disposed on the first substrate, a dielectric layer formed onthe first substrate and covering the first and second electrodes, apartition wall, and a second substrate disposed on the partition walland having a third electrode. A first and second light modulating mediaare filled in a compartment defined by the dielectric layer, the secondsubstrate and the partition wall, and the first light and second lightmodulating media are substantially immiscible and are of differentrefractive indices. At least one of the second substrate and thepartition wall is wettable by at least one of the first and second lightmodulating media. The first and second light modulating media arecapable of adjusting the directions of light beams traveling from thefirst substrate to the second substrate in accordance with an electricpotential difference across the first, the second, and the thirdelectrodes, so that the light beams alternately arrive at either theleft eye of a viewer or the right eye of the viewer.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a light modulating deviceincluding a plurality of the described electrically switchable lightmodulating cells. Each cell includes a first substrate, a first andsecond electrodes disposed on the first substrate, a dielectric layerformed on the first substrate and covering the first and secondelectrodes, a partition wall, a second substrate disposed on thepartition wall and comprising a third electrode. A first and secondlight modulating media are filled in a compartment defined by thedielectric layer, the second substrate, and the partition wall. Thefirst light and second light modulating media are substantiallyimmiscible and are of different refractive indices, and a layer isformed on at least one of the second substrate and the partition wall,and the layer is wettable by at least one of the first and second lightmodulating media.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a three-dimensional displaydevice, including a light modulating device including a plurality of thedescribed electrically switchable light modulating cells.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an image display system,including a light modulating device including a plurality of thedescribed electrically switchable light modulating cells.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an electrically switchablelight modulating cell, including a first substrate, a first and secondelectrodes disposed on the first substrate, a dielectric layer formed onthe first substrate and covering the first and second electrodes, apartition wall disposed on the dielectric layer, a second substrateincluding a low-contact-angle material layer, a third electrode disposedon the second substrate, and a first and second light modulating mediumfilled in the compartment. The dielectric layer, the second substrate,and the partition wall define a compartment, the first and second lightmodulating medium are substantially immiscible and are of differentrefractive indices, and the first and second light modulating media arecapable of adjusting the directions of light beams traveling from thefirst substrate to the second substrate in accordance with an electricpotential difference across the first, the second, and the thirdelectrodes, so that the light beams alternately arrive at either theleft eye of a viewer or the right eye of the viewer.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for fabricating alight modulating device, including: provides a method for fabricating alight modulating device, including: providing a substrate; forming atransparent conductive layer on the substrate; patterning thetransparent conductive layer; forming a dielectric layer on thepatterned transparent conductive layer; forming a high-contact-anglematerial layer on the dielectric layer; forming a partition layer on thehigh-contact-angle material layer to define a plurality of cells;filling the plurality of cells with a light modulating medium; andattaching a second substrate to the partition layer to seal theplurality of cells.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for fabricating alight modulating device, including: providing a first transparentsubstrate; forming a partition layer on the first transparent substrate;patterning the partition layer to expose a part of the first transparentsubstrate and to define a plurality of cells; forming a transparentconductive layer on the patterned partition layer; forming a dielectriclayer to cover the transparent conductive layer and the exposed part offirst transparent substrate; filling the plurality of cells with a lightmodulating medium; and attaching a second transparent substrate to thedielectric layer to seal the plurality of cells.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an electrically switchablelight modulating cell, including a first substrate, a partition walldisposed on the first substrate and including a first and secondelectrodes, a dielectric layer formed on the first substrate and thefirst and second electrodes, a second substrate disposed on thepartition wall to be adjacent to dielectric layer, and the first andsecond electrodes. The second substrate and the dielectric layer definea compartment, and a first and second light modulating media filled inthe compartment. The first and the second light modulating media aresubstantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides an electrically switchablelight modulating cell including a first substrate, a partition walldisposed on the first substrate, a first electrode disposed on part ofthe partition wall and on part of the first substrate and including twoportions interlaced with each other, a second electrode disposed onanother part of the partition wall and on another part of the firstsubstrate and including two portions interlaced with each other; adielectric layer conformably formed on the first and second electrodes,and a second substrate. The second substrate and the dielectric layerdefine a compartment, and a first and second light modulating media arefilled in the compartment. The first and second light modulating mediaare substantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices.

One embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for fabricating alight modulating device, including: providing a first transparentsubstrate; forming a first and second electrodes on the firsttransparent substrate; forming a dielectric layer formed on the firstsubstrate to cover the first and second electrodes; forming a partitionwall on the dielectric layer; forming a high-contact-angle materiallayer on the partition wall and disposed on at least part of thepartition wall; forming a second substrate on the partition wall andincluding third electrode; a first and second light modulating mediafilled in a compartment defined by the dielectric layer, the secondsubstrate, the high-contact-angle material layer, and the partitionwall. The first light and second light modulating media aresubstantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices.

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more fully understood by reading thesubsequent detailed description and examples with references made to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a tunable optical array device in related art; and

FIG. 2 shows a light redirecting device in related art;

FIGS. 3A-3P show top views of partition wall structures in embodimentsof the disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4H show a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional imagedisplay device in one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 5A-5G show a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional imagedisplay device in one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6E show a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional imagedisplay device in one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 7A-7E show a method for defining partition walls in one embodimentof the disclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8E show a method for defining partition walls in one embodimentof the disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9E show a method for defining partition walls in one embodimentof the disclosure;

FIGS. 10A-10F show a method for manufacturing a flexiblethree-dimensional image display device in one embodiment of thedisclosure; and

FIGS. 11A-11D, 12A-12B, 13A-13C, 14, 15A-15E, 16A-16D, 17, and 18 showelectrically switchable light modulating cells in embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carryingout the invention. This description is made for the purpose ofillustrating the general principles of the invention and should not betaken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determinedby reference to the appended claims.

A polar light modulating medium forms droplets having a high contactangle (>90°) on a hydrophobic material surface, and thus the hydrophobicmaterial is a high-contact-angle material for the polar light modulatingmedium. Moreover, the non-polar light modulating medium form dropletshaving a low contact angle on the hydrophobic material surface and thusthe hydrophobic material is a low-contact-angle material for thenon-polar light modulating medium.

A polar light modulating medium forms droplets having a low contactangle (>90°) on a hydrophilic material surface, and thus the hydrophilicmaterial is a low-contact-angle material for the polar light modulatingmedium. Moreover, the non-polar light modulating medium form dropletshaving a high contact angle on the hydrophilic material surface and thusthe hydrophilic material is a high-contact-angle material for thenon-polar light modulating medium.

The conventional lenticular lenses are static passive devices, unable todynamically modulate direction of light beams. The conventionallenticular lenses also have limitation of visible areas of displays. The3D image display device of the disclosure may be used to replace theconventional lenticular lenses. In one embodiment, the light modulatingmedium interface of the display device is controlled by theelectrowetting principle, such that the directions of emitting lightbeams may be dynamically modulated. The display device and the 3D lightmodulating device are configured to enable time-sharing andsynchronization, thereby displaying the 3D images for viewers.Currently, 1 mm electrowetting displays have a refresh time of 3 ms to10 ms, and 100 μm electrowetting displays have a refresh frequency of 1kHz to 3 kHz. In general, smaller sized displays have faster drivingspeeds. If a display has a refresh frequency which is greater than 120Hz, the display may operate in the time-sharing mode.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, the 3D light modulatingdevice has a plurality of electrically switchable light modulating cellsof specific shapes, sizes, and aspect ratios. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cells are arranged in an array and includeat least one light modulating medium. When voltages are applied to theelectrically switchable light modulating cells, according to theelectrowetting principle, the light modulating medium interface may bechanged to a non-horizontal profile such as a concaved, convex, orslanted profile, thereby influencing the direction and/or focus of thelight beams of the images.

According to the above embodiments, when two light modulating mediumsare adopted to fill the electrically switchable light modulating cells,one, is a hydrophilic (polar) light modulating medium such as, but notlimited to, water, saline, and the like. To increase the conductivity ofthe polar light modulating medium, the polar light modulating medium maybe a low molecular salt solution such as lithium chloride solution orpotassium chloride solution. Another light modulating medium is ahydrophobic (non-polar) light modulating medium such as, but not limitedto, silicone oil, mixture of silicone oil and tetrabromo methane,mineral oil, and hexadecane. In one embodiment of the disclosure, thenon-polar light modulating medium has a viscosity of less than 1000×10⁻⁶m²·s⁻¹. In another embodiment of the disclosure, toluene may be added tothe silicone oil to decrease its viscosity. In a further embodiment, atleast one of the polar light modulating medium and the non-polar lightmodulating medium includes a surfactant such as a halogenated organiccompound (e.g. trifluoroethanol or sodium trifluoroacetate).

The light modulating device of the disclosure may be driven by an activematrix, or a passive matrix. The passive matrix performs multi-lineaddressing, row-by-row addressing, column-by-column addressing, ormulti-domain addressing, such that the 3D display effect is easilyachieved by a simpler addressing mode. The light modulating device maybe driven by a simple passive matrix without TFTs, thereby increasingthe aperture ratio of the 3D image display system. The passive matrix isdriven by multi-line or the multi-domain addressing, such that designsof the conductive lines thereof are simple. For example, the designs mayneed only two layered connections (e.g., ITO) without a complicatedlayout, and the brightness of the 3D image display system is not reducedby a complicated layout.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the geometrical shape, size, andmaterial of partition walls in the electrically switchable lightmodulating cell may determine the capillary force between the polarlight modulating medium and the partition wall. The higher capillaryforce therebetween may reduce or eliminate misplacement of differentlight modulating mediums, and further improve the homing ability of thelight modulating medium.

The three-dimensional display device of the disclosure may collocatewith electronic paper, and an electronic reader, Electroluminescentdisplay (ELD), Organic electroluminescent display (OELD), Vacuumfluorescent display (VFD), Light emitting diode display (LED), Cathoderay tube (CRT), Liquid crystal display (LCD), Plasma display panel(PDP), Digital light processing (DLP) display, Liquid crystal on silicon(LCoS), Organic light-emitting diode (OLED), Surface-conductionelectron-emitter display (SED), Field emission display (FED), Laser TV(Quantum dot laser; Liquid crystal laser), Ferro liquid display (FLD),Interferometric modulator display (iMoD), Thick-film dielectricelectroluminescent (TDEL), Quantum dot display (QD-LED), Telescopicpixel display (TPD), Organic light-emitting transistor (OLET),Electrochromic display, and Laser phosphor display (LPD).

The three-dimensional display device of the disclosure includes top andbottom transparent substrates, having high transparency and carryingelements therebetween. The suitable substrates may be polymer sheet,metal sheet, and inorganic sheet. The polymer sheet includespolyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyethersulfone,polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyimide, or acryl. The metal sheet may beselected from flexible materials. The inorganic sheet includes glass,quartz, or other non-flexible (rigid) materials. In one embodiment, thesubstrate may have a thickness of 2 μm to 5000 μm, and preferably of 5μm to 2000 μm. An overly thin substrate does not have sufficientstrength and an average thickness. An overly thick substrate, e.g.thicker than 5000 μm, may be unfavorable for display effect of thin-typedisplays.

The three-dimensional display device of the disclosure includes adielectric layer for electrically insulating leakage current of workingelectrodes due to charged ion drifting (e.g. ion mobility in the polarlight modulating medium). The dielectric layer may be inorganicmaterials, organic materials, or composites thereof. In one embodiment,the dielectric layer may have a thickness of 1 nm to 10000 nm. Thedielectric layer may have different suitable thicknesses correspondingto different materials. For example, a general inorganic dielectriclayer has a thickness of 10 nm to 500 nm, and a general organicdielectric layer has a thickness of 1000 nm to 10000 nm. An overly thindielectric layer may not be formed as a completely dense structure,wherein if so, insulation and capacitance thereof would be difficult toremain. An overly thick dielectric layer may increase working voltageand reduce dielectric susceptibility, such that the contact angleresponse of the light modulating medium is relative low. The inorganicdielectric layer includes silicon nitride, and typical oxides (MO_(x))Metal M of the oxides MO_(x) may be a metal, transitional metal, orsemiconductor element and subscript x ranges 1 to 10 and may not beinteger. The metal may be Mg, Ca, Sr, or Al. The transitional metal maybe Sc, Nb, Gd, Ti, Y, Ta, Hf, Zr, La, Zn, Cu, Ag, or Au. Thesemiconductor element may be Si. In addition, the dielectric layer maybe a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure of thedescribed oxides or composites thereof. In other embodiments, theorganic dielectric layer may be Parylene C, acrylate, epoxy, epoxyamine,siloxane, silicone, silicon oxycarbide, composites thereof, ormulti-layered structures thereof. Because the deposited inorganicmaterial has high residual stress and brittleness characteristics, thedeposited inorganic material is prone to defects, wherein electricalinsulation thereof is poorly influenced. The organic material serving asa strain buffer layer may be collocated with the inorganic material. Theorganic material, inorganic material, composites thereof, ormulti-layered structures thereof preferably have a water/vaportransmission rate of 10² to 10⁻⁶ g/m².

The dielectric layer may be formed by sputtering, vacuum vapordeposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma polymerization, orcoating processes. The coating includes spin coating, slit die coating,die coating, dip coating, or jet printing processes. The methods formanufacturing the dielectric layer may be sheet to sheet or roll-to-rollmethods.

The dielectric surface may be chemically treated to reduce its surfaceenergy and form an ultra-hydrophobic surface having a lotus effect. Thechemical treatment includes direct coating of a hydrophobic material,grafting of fluorinated functional groups on the dielectric surface,chemically bonding the dielectric surface with nanogel of siliconfluoride polymer, chemically bonding the dielectric surface withsilicone materials, or selectively mixing together fluorine-containingmaterials and silicone while evaporating the dielectric layer. Thedielectric surface structure may be changed from a planar to a saw-likestructure (having a structure size of 10 nm to 100 nm) to reduce itssurface energy. Similarly, the dielectric surface may be roughened(having a roughness Ra of 10 nm to 1000 nm) to reduce its surfaceenergy.

The hydrophobic layer has low surface energy for a polar lightmodulating medium. The hydrophobic layer includes fluorine-containingpolymers such as Cytop commercially available from Asahi, Fluoropelcommercially available form Cytonix, or Teflon AF commercially availablefrom Dupont, or carbon-containing and hydrophobic polymers. Thedescribed hydrophobic layer may have a thickness of 1 nm to 1000 nm,preferably of 5 nm to 150 nm. An overly thin hydrophobic layer may notbe formed with sufficient insulation and capacitance. An overly thickhydrophobic layer, e.g. thicker than 1000 nm, has disadvantages ofhaving too small capacitance and too high voltage for driving the entiredisplay device.

For example, the hydrophobic layers have the properties as shown inTable 1:

TABLE 1 DuPont AF 1601 Asahi CYTOP-809M Initial contact angle ~110°~105° Dielectric constant ~1.93 ~2.0-2.1 Dielectric Strength 2.4 V/nm2.0 V/nm (including 50 nm SiO₂) EW working range 0~60 V* 0~20 V* 0~95V** 0~60 V** MAX. angle difference 55.11°* 48.52°* 38.75°** 36.55°**Transmission rate 92.13%* 92.49%* 91.28%** 91.20%** *50 nm SiO₂; **200nm SiO₂

The hydrophobic layer may be made by sputtering, vacuum vapordeposition, CVD, or coating processes. The coating includes spincoating, slit die coating, die coating, dip coating, or jet printingprocesses. The methods for manufacturing the dielectric layer may besheet to sheet or roll-to-roll methods.

The electrode of the electrically switchable light modulating cell mayhave high conductivity and high transparency, such as metal, conductivemetal oxide, or conductive polymer. The metal may be Au, Ag, Cu, Al, orNi. The conductive metal oxide may be indium tin oxide (ITO), antimonytin oxide (ATO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), indium gallium zincoxide (IGZO), or zinc oxide (ZnO). The conductive polymer may bepolyaniline, polypropyrrole, or polythiophene. In other embodiments, theelectrode may have a transparency greater than 80%. The electrode may bemade by sputtering, vacuum vapor deposition, CVD, or coating processes.

The electrode may be an n-type or p-type doped semiconductor element. Ifthe silicon is doped by P, As, or Sb, the doped silicon may be n-type.If the silicon is doped by B or Al, the doped silicon may be p-type. Then-type and p-type electrodes may be combined to form a diode. When abias voltage is applied to the electrodes, a threshold voltage may beproduced to avoid crosstalk between the electrodes. The semiconductormaterial doped with high concentrations (e.g. 10¹²/cm⁻³ to 10²¹/cm⁻³) ofn-type or p-type dopants may have such high conductivity as metal.

The partition wall, including, but not limited, to photoresist, maysupport and separate each of the electrically switchable lightmodulating cells. The photoresist may be SU-8 2100 commerciallyavailable from MicroChem, JSR-151N commercially available from JSR, KMPRphotoresists, or PerMX photoresists. The partition wall may be othermaterial such as poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA),poly(dimethylsilicone), dry film, and the likes. In other embodiments,the partition wall may have a height of about 10 μm to 200 μm, andpreferably of 50 μm to 150 μm. The partition wall structure must sustaina pressure, of greater than 400 N/mm², without being deformed whenflexed or press is applied. The partition wall structure having athickness of about 50 μm is formed on a glass substrate, and a pressureof 2000 N/mm² is applied to the partition wall structure to measure itsstrength. FIGS. 3A-3O show top views of the partition wall structures inseveral embodiments of the disclosure. Each enclosed area is oneelectrically switchable light modulating cell. In other embodiments, theelectrically switchable light modulating cells may have cross sections(in top-view) of circular (FIGS. 3C and 3D), cylindrical (FIGS. 3M-3P),triangular (FIGS. 3I-3K), diamond (FIG. 3H), square (FIGS. 3E-3G),rectangular (FIG. 3L), or hexagonal (FIGS. 3A-3B) shapes. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cells may be arranged in agrid, hive, mesh, or delta like shape, such as a hive-shaped (FIGS. 3Aand 3B), and a delta-shaped (FIG. 3J) shape, or an array of triangles(FIGS. 3I-3K), an array of rectangles (FIG. 3L), an array of ovals(FIGS. 3M-3P), an array of circles (FIGS. 3C-3D), an array of squares(FIGS. 3E-3G), an array of diamonds (FIG. 3H), or an array of trenches(FIG. 3H). The partition wall may be made by forming a photoresistlayer, exposing the photoresist layer, and then developing thephotoresist layer. The partition wall may be formed by other methodssuch as imprinting, embossing, and mesh printing methods, and the likes.The methods for manufacturing the partition wall may be sheet to sheetor roll-to-roll methods.

Based on the electrowetting concept, the polar light modulating mediumin the electrically switchable light modulating cell may deform when avoltage is applied thereto. Generally, the polar and non-polar lightmodulating mediums are easily misplaced due to overly low adhesive forcebetween the space surface and the light modulating mediums. After theapplied voltage is turned off, it is difficult for the polar andnon-polar light modulating mediums to be homed due to their inherentsurface tensions. In the electrically switchable light modulating cellof the disclosure, the specific partition wall structure may efficientlyreduce or eliminate misplacement of the polar and non-polar lightmodulating mediums. When the polar and non-polar light modulatingmediums having similar densities are injected into the electricallyswitchable light modulating cell, interior surface of the specificgeometrical shape of the partition wall structure benefits by having acapillary force produced therebetween. As such, the polar and non-polarlight modulating mediums may separate from each other without beingmisplaced. As described above, the misplacement is the arrangement ofthe light modulating mediums being reversed. The light modulatingmediums have better homing due to the described capillary force.

According to the disclosure, the partition wall structure shape, size,and/or ratio, and the type of the polar light modulating medium may bechanged to reduce or eliminate the misplacement phenomenon, as well asto increase the homing ability of the light modulating medium after theapplied voltage is turned off.

As shown in Table 2, the square (in top-view cross-section) cell has alonger height causing a higher capillary force (and higher drivingvoltage) between the partition wall and the polar light modulatingmedium. In other words, the cell having a shorter height causes lowercapillary force (and lower driving voltage) between the partition walland the polar light modulating medium.

TABLE 2 1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 7 mm (width) (width) (width)(width) (width) (width) (width) Square cell 6 mm 4 V   3 V 1.7 V 1.6 V 0.9 V 0.35 V 0.25 V (height) Square cell 3 mm 2 V 0.5 V 0.3 V 0.2 V0.17 V 0.13 V  0.1 V (height) Note: the filling ratio of the oil/aqueoussolution is 1:1, wherein the oil is silicon oil (Acros 17466), and theaqueous solution is 0.1 wt % KCl aqueous solution.

Table 3 shows the driving voltages corresponding to the cell aspectratios of different cross-sectional shaped in side-view.

TABLE 3 1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 7 mm (width) (width) (width)(width) (width) (width) (width) Square cell 6 mm 4 V 3 V 1.7 V 1.6 V 0.9V 0.35 V  0.25 V (height) Cylindrical 6 mm 4 V 3 V 1.8 V 1.7 V 1.6 0.8 V 0.5 V cell (height) Reverse 6 mm 3 V 2 V 1.3 V   1 V 0.6 0.3 V 0.25 Vtrapezoid cell (height) Note: the filling ratio of the oil/aqueoussolution is 1:1, wherein the oil is silicon oil (Acros 17466), and theaqueous solution is 0.1 wt % KCl aqueous solution.

Because the polar light modulating medium easily forms balls, theball-like polar light modulating medium has a larger contact area withthe curved surface of the cylindrical cell than the planar surface ofthe square cell. As such, the capillary force (and driving voltage)between the polar light modulating medium and the partition wall in thecylindrical cell is higher as compared to that in the square cell, asshown in Table 3. Because the reverse trapezoid cell has a bigger topopening and a smaller bottom opening, the ball-like polar lightmodulating medium has difficultly being adhered onto the partition wallsurface. As such, the polar light modulating medium and the partitionwall in the reverse trapezoid cell have minimal capillary force (anddriving voltage), when compared to the square cell and the cylindricalcell.

Table 4 shows the deformation degrees of the polar light modulatingmedium (applied same voltage) in the electrically switchable lightmodulating cells with different aspect ratios and cross-sectionalshapes. When the partition wall height is shorter, the capillary forcebetween the space surface and the polar light modulating medium becomesweaker. The voltage applied to the polar light modulating medium maydeform the polar light modulating medium. An overly high voltage mayeasily deform the polar light modulating medium too much.

TABLE 4 1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 7 mm (width) (width) (width)(width) (width) (width) (width) Square 6 mm No No No No Appropriate OverOver cell (height) deformation deformation deformation deformationdeformation deformation deformation Square 3 mm Appropriate Over OverOver Over Over Over cell (height) deformation deformation deformationdeformation deformation deformation deformation Note: the filling ratioof the oil/aqueous solution is 1:1, wherein the oil is silicon oil(Acros 17466), and the aqueous solution is 0.1 wt % KCl aqueoussolution.

Table 5 shows the deformation degrees of the polar light modulatingmedium (applied same voltage) in the electrically switchable lightmodulating cells with different aspect ratios and cross-sectionalshapes. The polar light modulating medium content in Table 4 isdifferent from that in Table 5.

TABLE 5 1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 7 mm (width) (width) (width)(width) (width) (width) (width) Square cell 6 mm No No No No AppropriateOver Over (height) deformation deformation deformation deformationdeformation deformation deformation Cylindrical 6 mm No No No No No OverOver Cell (height) deformation deformation deformation deformationdeformation deformation deformation Reverse 6 mm No No No AppropriateOver Over Over trapezoid cell (height) deformation deformationdeformation deformation deformation deformation deformation Note: thefilling ratio of the oil/aqueous solution is 1:1, wherein the oil issilicon oil (Acros 17466), and the aqueous solution is a mixture ofwater (80 wt %), glycerin (20 wt %), and KCl (0.1 wt %).

Table 6 shows the driving voltages corresponding to different polarlight modulating mediums. When the water is further mixed with glycerin,the cohesive force (intramolecular interaction) of the polar lightmodulating medium is reduced, thereby reducing the capillary forcebetween the partition wall surface and the polar light modulatingmedium.

TABLE 6 Width Voltage 1 mm 2 mm 3 mm 4 mm 5 mm 6 mm 7 mm Square 0.1 wt %KCl aqueous 4 V 3 V 1.7 V 1.6 V 0.9 V 0.35 V 0.25 V cell solution SquareMixture of water 2 V 2 V 1.5 V   1 V 0.4 V  0.3 V  0.2 V cell (80 wt %),glycerin (20 wt %), and KCl (0.1 wt %) Note: the filling ratio of theoil/aqueous solution is 1:1, wherein the oil is silicon oil (Acros17466), and the aqueous solution (polar light modulating medium) isshown in Table 6.

FIGS. 4A-4H show a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional imagedisplay device of one embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 4A, an ITO film 41 on a glass substrate 40 is put inacetone and under supersonic vibration for 5 minutes, put in isopropylalcohol and under supersonic vibration for 5 minutes, and then put inde-ionized water and under supersonic vibration for 5 minutes. Thesubstrate is then blow-dried by nitrogen, and then pre-baked at 120° C.for 20 minutes. A photoresist layer 43 is spin-coated onto the ITO film41, and then baked by a hot plate at 100° C. for 2 minutes to 10minutes.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the photoresist layer 43 is exposed by a photomask(EVG620, 21 mW/cm²) for 35 seconds, and then developed by 2.38 wt % oftrimethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) for 120 seconds to form thephotoresist pattern 43′. The photoresist pattern 43′ is washed byde-ionized water for 5 minutes, and then blow-dried by nitrogen.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the ITO film 41 is etched by wet etching (eSolvEG-418) at 55° C. for 60 seconds to form ITO pattern 41′. Afterward, thephotoresist pattern 43′ is removed. The ITO pattern 41′ is blow-dried bynitrogen, and analyzed by a microscope to check for defects.

As shown in FIG. 4D, the glass substrate 40 and the ITO pattern 41′thereon is put in acetone and under supersonic vibration for 5 minutes,put in isopropyl alcohol to and under supersonic vibration for 5minutes, put in de-ionized water to supersonic for 5 minutes, and thenblow-dried by nitrogen. Thereafter, a dielectric layer 45 such as SiO₂or Al₂O₃ of 5 nm to 1000 nm is deposited on the glass substrate 40 andthe ITO pattern 41′ by PECVD at 350° C.

As shown in FIG. 4E, a hydrophobic layer 47 is spin-coated onto thedielectric layer 45. The hydrophobic layer 47 may be Teflon AF 1601commercially available from Dupont or CYTOP-809M commercially availablefrom Asahi. The hydrophobic layer 47 has a thickness of 5 nm to 1000 nm.The hydrophobic layer 47 of Teflon AF 1601 may be put on a hot plate tobake at 200° C. for 20 minutes, and the hydrophobic layer 47 ofCYTOP-809M may be put on a hot plate to bake at 180° C. for 60 minutes.

As shown in FIG. 4F, a partition wall material is spin-coated onto thehydrophobic layer 47 to form a partition layer of 10 μm to 500 μm. Thepartition layer is exposed by a suitable photomask and then developed todefine partition walls 48 and compartments 49. Alternatively, thepartition layer is imprinted to define the partition walls 48 and thecompartments 49. Thereafter, the partition walls 48 and the compartments49 are blow-dried by nitrogen, and put on a hot plate to bake at 95° C.for 15 minutes (when the partition walls 48 are SU-8 2100) or to bake at115° C. for 30 minutes (when the partition walls 48 are JSR-151N).

As shown in FIG. 4G, a polar light modulating medium 1 and a non-polarmodulating medium 2 are injected into the compartments 49 by a fluidinjector (Dimatix DMP-2800 commercially available from Fujitsu). Thenon-polar light modulating medium 2 may have a viscosity of less than 50cP (centriPoises). Alternatively, non-polar light modulating medium 2may be air, such that the combination of the light modulating mediumsmay be polar light modulating medium 1 (e.g. water) and air.

As shown in FIG. 4H, an adhesive layer 46 is applied to bond thestructure in FIG. 4G to another glass substrate 40. The adhesive layer46 may be epoxy adhesive agent (LETBOND) cured by UV curing or thermalcuring. The misalignment of this bonding process may be less than 10 μm.

The ITO pattern 41′ may be formed by other methods such as screenprinting or inject printing methods. Alternatively, the ITO pattern 41′may be replaced by other conductive materials such as a 5 nm to 5000 nmfilm of silver gel, copper gel, or carbon gel. The screen printingmethod utilizes the screen to define the pattern, and the injectprinting method utilizes the inject path to define the pattern.

When a voltage is applied to the electrodes (ITO pattern 41′) of theelectrically switchable light modulating cells, the interface profilebetween the polar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar lightmodulating medium 2 may non-horizontally deform, such that a lighttraveling from the bottom glass substrate 40 to the top glass substrate40 may be deflected to a right eye or a left eye of a viewer. As such,the viewer may see three-dimensional images.

FIGS. 5A-5G show a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional imagedisplay device of one embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a partition layer having a thickness of 10 μm to500 μm is formed on a first carrier 50 by spin-coating or die coating,and then put on a hot plate to soft-bake at 100° C. for 5 minutes. Thepartition layer is imprinted (or exposed by a suitable photomask andthen developed) to define partition walls 51, washed by de-ionizedwater, blow-dried by nitrogen, and put on a hot plate to bake at 95° C.for 15 minutes (when the partition walls 51 are SU-8 2100) or to bake at115° C. for 30 minutes (when the partition walls 51 are JSR-151N).Thereafter, a conductive layer is conformally deposited on the firstcarrier 50 and the partition walls 51 by physical vapor deposition(PVD). The conductive layer may have a thickness of 5 nm to 5000 nm. Theconductive layer may be copper, ITO, AZO, or IGZO. The conductive layeris then patterned by lithography or the likes to form electrodes 53.

As shown in FIG. 5B, a dielectric layer 55 such as 5 nm to 9000 nm ofParylene C or 5 nm to 1000 nm of SiO₂ or Al₂O₃ is deposited by PVD onthe structure of FIG. 5A. Thereafter, a hydrophobic layer 57 isspin-coated or dip coated on the dielectric layer 55. The hydrophobiclayer 57 may be Teflon AF 1601 commercially available from Dupont orCYTOP-809M commercially available from Asahi. The hydrophobic layer 57has a thickness of 5 nm to 1000 nm. The hydrophobic layer 57 of TeflonAF 1601 may be put on a hot plate to bake at 200° C. for 5 minutes to 30minutes, and the hydrophobic layer 57 of CYTOP-809M may be put on a hotplate to bake at 180° C. for 60 minutes.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the structure of FIG. 5B is transfer printed to asecond carrier 59 to perform following processes.

As shown in FIG. 5D, an adhesive layer (not shown) is applied to bondthe structure in FIG. 5C to a glass substrate 40. The misalignment ofthis bonding process must be less than 10 μm. The second carrier 59 isremoved after the bonding process.

As shown in FIG. 5E, a polar light modulating medium 1 and a non-polarmodulating medium 2 are injected into the compartments 59 by a fluidinjector (Dimatix DMP-2800 commercially available from Fujitsu). Thenon-polar light modulating medium 2 may have a viscosity of less than 50cP (centriPoises). Alternatively, non-polar light modulating medium 2may be air, such that the combination of the light modulating mediumsmay be polar light modulating medium 1 (e.g. water) and air.

As shown in FIG. 5F, an adhesive layer 56 is applied to bond thestructure of FIG. 5E to another glass substrate 40. The misalignment ofthis bonding process may be less than 10 μm. As a result, athree-dimensional image display device is completed, as shown in FIG.5G.

The electrodes 53 may be formed by other methods such as screen printingor inject printing methods. For example, the electrodes 53 may be a 5 nmto 5000 nm film of silver gel, copper gel, or carbon gel.

When a voltage is applied to the electrodes 53 of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cells, the interface profile between thepolar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar light modulatingmedium 2 may non-horizontally deform, such that a light traveling fromthe bottom glass substrate 40 to the top glass substrate 40 may bedeflected to a right eye or a left eye of a viewer. As such, the viewermay see three-dimensional images.

FIGS. 6A-6E show a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional imagedisplay device in one embodiment of the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a partition layer having a thickness of 10 μm to500 μm is formed on a glass substrate 40 by spin-coating or die coating,and then put on a hot plate to soft-bake at 100° C. for 5 minutes. Thepartition layer is imprinted (or exposed by a suitable photomask andthen developed) to define partition walls 51, washed by de-ionizedwater, blow-dried by nitrogen, and put on a hot plate to bake at 95° C.for 15 minutes (when the partition walls 51 are SU-8 2100) or to bake at115° C. for 30 minutes (when the partition walls 51 are JSR-151N).Thereafter, electrodes 53 are deposited on the glass substrate 40 andthe partition walls 51 by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and a shadowmask 61. The electrodes 53 may have a thickness of 5 nm to 5000 nm. Theelectrodes 53 may be copper, ITO, AZO, or IGZO.

As shown in FIG. 6B, a dielectric layer 55 such as 5 nm to 9000 nm ofParylene C or 5 nm to 1000 nm of SiO₂ or Al₂O₃ is deposited by PVD onthe structure of FIG. 6A. Thereafter, a hydrophobic layer 57 isspin-coated or dip coated on the dielectric layer 55. The hydrophobiclayer 57 may be Teflon AF 1601 commercially available from Dupont orCYTOP-809M commercially available from Asahi. The hydrophobic layer 57has a thickness of 5 nm to 1000 nm. The hydrophobic layer 57 of TeflonAF 1601 may be put on a hot plate to bake at 200° C. for 5 minutes to 30minutes, and the hydrophobic layer 57 of CYTOP-809M may be put on a hotplate to bake at 180° C. for 60 minutes.

As shown in FIG. 6C, a polar light modulating medium 1 and a non-polarmodulating medium 2 are injected into the compartments 63 by a fluidinjector (Dimatix DMP-2800 commercially available from Fujitsu). Thenon-polar light modulating medium 2 may have a viscosity of less than 50cP (centriPoises). Alternatively, non-polar light modulating medium 2may be air, such that the combination of the light modulating mediumsmay be polar light modulating medium 1 (e.g. water) and air.

As shown in FIG. 6D, an adhesive layer 56 is applied to bond thestructure of FIG. 6C to another glass substrate 40. The misalignment ofthis bonding process may be less than 10 μm. As a result, athree-dimensional image display device is completed, as shown in FIG.6E.

The electrodes 53 may be formed by other methods such as screen printingor inject printing methods. For example, the electrodes 53 may be a 5 nmto 5000 nm film of silver gel, copper gel, or carbon gel.

When a voltage is applied to the electrodes 53 of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cells, the interface profile between thepolar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar light modulatingmedium 2 may non-horizontally deform, such that a light travelling fromthe bottom glass substrate 40 to the top glass substrate 40 may bedeflected to a right eye or a left eye of a viewer. As such, the viewermay see three-dimensional images.

FIGS. 7A-7E show a method for defining partition walls in one embodimentof the disclosure. A sheet-like mold 71A as shown in FIG. 7A or acylinder-like mold 71B serves as an imprint mold 71 in FIG. 7C. Theimprint mold 71 may be processable material such as copper, aluminum,silicon wafer, or the likes. A partition wall material layer 73 isspin-coated on a glass substrate 40. The glass substrate 40 has athickness of 0.7 mm, and the partition wall material layer 73 has athickness of 10 μm to 500 μm, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7D, the imprint mold 71 is applied an average pressureto be pressed on the partition wall material layer 73. Meanwhile, theimprinted partition wall material layer 73 is thermally cured or UVcured to form partition walls 73′. When UV curing is adopted, the UVlight transmits through the glass substrate 40.

As shown in FIG. 7E, the partition walls 73′ is formed on the glasssubstrate 40, and the imprint mold 71 is de-molded. The partition walls73′ may have an optimum profile without other partition wall materialresidue by controlling speed, temperature, angle, and/or other factorsof the de-molding process.

FIGS. 8A-8E show a method for defining partition walls in one embodimentof the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 8C, a partition wall material 81 is filled in cavitiesof a mold 80 by a scraper 83. The mold 80 may be sheet-like as shown inFIG. 8A or cylinder-like as shown in FIG. 8B. The mold 80 may beprocessable material such as copper, aluminum, silicon wafer, or thelikes.

As shown in FIG. 8D, the mold 80 with the partition wall material 81filled in its cavities is flip pressed on a glass substrate 40. The flippressing process is performed with average pressure. The glass substrate40 has a thickness of 0.7 mm. Meanwhile, the partition wall material 81is thermally cured or UV cured to form partition walls 81′. When UVcuring is adopted, the UV light transmits through the glass substrate 40and not the opaque mold 80.

As shown in FIG. 8E, the partition walls 81′ is formed on the glasssubstrate 40, and the mold 80 is de-molded. The partition walls 81′ mayhave an optimum profile without other partition wall material residue bycontrolling speed, temperature, angle, and/or other factors of thede-molding process.

FIGS. 9A-9E show a method for defining partition walls in one embodimentof the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 9C, a partition wall material 91 is conformally formedon a surface of a mold 90 by a scraper 93. The partition wall material91 has a thickness of 10 μm to 500 μm, wherein the thickness iscontrolled by the empty space between the scraper 93 and the mold 90.The mold 90 may be sheet-like as shown in FIG. 9A or cylinder-like asshown in FIG. 9B. The mold 90 may be processable material such ascopper, aluminum, silicon wafer, or the likes.

As shown in FIG. 9D, the mold 90 with the partition wall material 91formed on its surface is flip pressed on a glass substrate 40. The flippressing process is performed with average pressure. The glass substrate40 has a thickness of 0.7 mm. Meanwhile, the partition wall material 91is thermally cured or UV cured to form partition walls 91′. When UVcuring is adopted, the UV light transmits through the glass substrate40.

As shown in FIG. 9E, the partition walls 91′ are formed on the glasssubstrate 40, and the mold 90 is de-molded. The partition walls 91′ mayhave an optimum profile without other partition wall material residue bycontrolling speed, temperature, angle, and/or other factors of thede-molding process.

FIGS. 10A-10F show a method for manufacturing a flexiblethree-dimensional image display device in one embodiment of thedisclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a partition wall material 103 is formed on atransparent flexible substrate 101 by slit die coating. A carrier 100 isformed under the transparent flexible substrate 101 to be transported byrollers 105, which is a so-called roll-to-roll process. The partitionwall material 103 having a thickness of 20 μm to 500 μm is put on a hotplate to soft-bake at a suitable temperature for 5 minutes to 10minutes.

As shown in FIG. 10B, a mold 107 is applied an average pressure to bepressed on the partition wall material 103. The imprinting process maybe an embossing or planar pressing process. The mold 107 may beprocessable material such as copper, aluminum, silicon wafer, or thelikes. Meanwhile, the imprinted partition wall material 103 is thermallycured or UV cured to form partition walls 103′. When UV curing isadopted, the UV light transmits through the carrier 100 and thetransparent flexible substrate 101.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the mold 107 is then removed after forming thepartition walls 103′. Thereafter, electrodes 104 are deposited on thepartition walls 103′ by physical vapor deposition (PVD) and a shadowmask 106. The electrodes 104 may have a thickness of 5 nm to 5000 nm.The electrodes 104 may be Ag, ITO, AZO, or IGZO.

As shown in FIG. 10D, a dielectric layer 108 such as 500 nm to 3000 nmof Parylene C 5 nm to 1000 nm of or SiO₂ or Al₂O₃ is deposited by PVD onthe structure of FIG. 10C. Thereafter, a hydrophobic layer 109 isspin-coated or dip coated on the dielectric layer 108. The hydrophobiclayer 109 may be Teflon AF 1601 commercially available from Dupont orCYTOP-809M commercially available from Asahi. The hydrophobic layer 109has a thickness of 50 nm to 1000 nm.

As shown in FIG. 10E, a polar light modulating medium 1 and a non-polarmodulating medium 2 are injected into the compartments between thepartition walls 103′ by a fluid injector (Dimatix DMP-2800 commerciallyavailable from Fujitsu). The non-polar light modulating medium 2 may bea viscosity of less than 50 cP. Alternatively, non-polar lightmodulating medium 2 may be air, such that the combination of the lightmodulating mediums may be polar light modulating medium 1 (e.g. water)and air.

As shown in FIG. 10F, an layer 102 is applied to bond the structure ofFIG. 10E to another transparent flexible substrate 101. The misalignmentof this bonding process may be less than 10 μm. Thereafter, the carrier100 is removed.

The electrodes 104 may be formed by other methods such as screenprinting or inject printing methods. For example, the electrodes 104 maybe a 5 nm to 5000 nm film of silver gel, copper gel, or carbon gel.

When a voltage is applied to the electrodes 104 of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cells, the interface profile between thepolar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar light modulatingmedium 2 may non-horizontally deform, such that a light travelling fromthe bottom transparent flexible substrate 101 to the top transparentflexible substrate 101 may be deflected to a right eye or a left eye ofa viewer. As such, the viewer may see three-dimensional images.

FIG. 11A shows an electrically switchable light modulating cell 10 inone embodiment of the disclosure, which includes a bottom substrate 7B,a top substrate 7A, a left electrode 5A, a right electrode 5B, adielectric layer 4, partition walls 8, a top electrode 6U, a polar lightmodulating medium 1, and a non-polar light modulating medium 2. The leftelectrode 5A and right electrode 5B is disposed on the bottom substrate7B, and the dielectric layer 4 is disposed on the bottom substrate 7B tocover the left and right electrodes 5A and 5B. The partition walls 8 aredisposed on the dielectric layer 4, the top substrate 7A is disposed onthe partition walls 8 to be opposite to the bottom substrate 7B, and thetop electrode 6U is disposed on the top substrate 7A. The dielectriclayer 4, the top electrode 6U, and the partition walls 8 define acompartment 9 which is dimensioned, such that capillarity isfacilitated. The polar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar lightmodulating medium 2 filled in the compartment 9 are incompatible eachother. That is, the polar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polarlight modulating medium 2 are substantially immiscible and of differentrefractive indices. One of the polar light modulating medium 1 and thenon-polar light modulating medium 2 is a gaseous medium. The polar andnon-polar light modulating media 1 and 2 may deform corresponding tovoltages applied to the left and right electrodes 5A and 5B and the topelectrode 6U, such that a light travelling through the compartment 9 maybe deflected to a right eye or a left eye of a viewer. As such, theviewer may see three-dimensional images. The light as shown in FIGS. 12Aand 12B is emitted from a light source including but not limited to acold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) backlight module, or an organiclight emitting diode (OLED) backlight module. Specifically, the size andgeometrical structure of the partition walls 8 may enforce the capillaryforce between the partition walls 8 and the polar light modulatingmedium 1. Accordingly, the polar light modulating medium 1 may noteasily mix and/or be misplaced with the non-polar light modulatingmedium 2 due to the enforced capillary force. At least one of the bottomsubstrate 7B and the partition wall 8 wettable by at least one of thepolar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar light modulatingmedium 2. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, hydrophilic layers 3A and 3B,(high-contact—angle material layer) may be disposed on parts of thepartition walls 8 to be adjacent to the top electrode 6U. Thehydrophilic property of the hydrophilic layers 3A and 3B may attract thepolar light modulating medium 1, thereby reducing or eliminatingmisplacement occurrences of the polar and non-polar light modulatingmediums 1 and 2. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12A, the top electrode 6Uis a common electrode and disposed on the partition walls 8 and thehydrophilic layers 3A and 3B. Unlike FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B shows that thetop electrode 6U is a segmented electrode and the top substrate 7A isdisposed on the partition walls 8 and adjacent to hydrophilic layers 3Aand 3B.

FIGS. 11B-11D show the light deflection mechanism of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cell 10 in FIG. 11A. When no voltage isapplied to the electrically switchable light modulating cell 10, theinterface between the polar and non-polar light modulating mediums ishorizontal. Therefore, a light traveling through the compartment 9 maynot be deflected. When a voltage difference is applied between the leftelectrode 5A and the top electrode 6U, the polar light modulating medium1 may tilt to a left electrode 5A and repel the non-polar lightmodulating medium 2, as shown in FIG. 11D. The interface between thepolar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 non-horizontallydeforms. As such, a light traveling through the compartment 9 may bedeflected to the right. Similarly, when a voltage difference is appliedbetween the right electrode 5B and the top electrode 6U, the polar lightmodulating medium 1 may tilt to a right electrode 5A and repel thenon-polar light modulating medium 2, as shown in FIG. 11C. The interfacebetween the polar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2non-horizontally deforms. As such, a light traveling through thecompartment 9 may be deflected to the left.

The surface of the partition walls 8 may be non-streamline shaped,specifically, adjacent to the interface between the polar and non-polarlight modulating mediums 1 and 2, to avoid misplacement of the polar andnon-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2. This design may make thepolar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 preserve a balancedstatus rather than a misplaced status (top-bottom reverse or front-backreverse) when no voltage is applied to the electrodes.

The compartment 9 of the electrically switchable light modulating cell10 in FIG. 13A has a stepped structure composed of a top portion 9A anda bottom portion 9B. The top portion 9A in FIG. 13A has arectangular-shaped cross-sectional side view. The bottom portion 9B inFIG. 13A also has a rectangular-shaped cross-sectional side view, andthe top portion 9A is wider than the top portion 9B. The deformed polarlight modulating medium 1 may be contained in the top portion 9A withoutescaping to the bottom portion 9B, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C. As aresult, misplacement of the polar and non-polar light modulating mediums1 and 2 may be avoided.

FIG. 14 shows an electrically switchable light modulating cell 10 in oneembodiment of the disclosure, which includes a polar light modulatingmedium 1, a non-polar light modulating medium 2, a hydrophilic layer(high contact angle layer) 3A, a dielectric layer 4, a left electrode5A, a right electrode 5B, a top electrode 6U, a bottom substrate 7B, atop substrate 7A, and partition walls 8. The left electrode 5A and rightelectrode 5B are disposed on the bottom substrate 7B, and the dielectriclayer 4 is disposed on the bottom substrate 7B to cover the left andright electrodes 5A and 5B. The partition walls 8 are disposed on thedielectric layer 4, the hydrophilic layer 3A is disposed on thepartition walls 8 to be opposite to the bottom substrate 7B, and the topelectrode 6U is disposed on the top substrate 7A to be surrounded by thehydrophilic layer 3A. The dielectric layer 4, the top electrode 6U, thehydrophilic layer 3A, and the partition walls 8 define a compartment 9.The polar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar light modulatingmedium 2 filled in the compartment 9 are incompatible to each other.That is, the polar light modulating medium 1 and the non-polar lightmodulating medium 2 are substantially immiscible and of differentrefractive indices, and the compartment 9 is dimensioned as tofacilitate capillarity. The polar and non-polar light modulating media 1and 2 may deform corresponding to voltages applied to the left and rightelectrodes 5A and 5B and top electrode 6U, such that a light travellingthrough the compartment 9 may be deflected to a right eye or a left eyeof a viewer. As such, the viewer may see three-dimensional images. Inthis embodiment, the polar light modulating medium 1 is easily adsorbedby the hydrophilic layer 3A. This means that the polar light modulatingmedium 1 is easily limited in the top portion of the compartment 9, andthe non-polar light modulating medium is easily limited in the bottomportion of the compartment 9. As a result, misplacement of the polar andnon-polar light modulating media 1 and 2 may be avoided, and thepartition wall is wettable by at least one of the polar and non-polarlight modulating media 1 and 2.

FIG. 15A shows an electrically switchable light modulating cell 10 inone embodiment of the disclosure, which includes a polar lightmodulating medium 1, a non-polar light modulating medium 2, a dielectriclayer 4, left electrodes 5A1 and 5A2, right electrodes 5B1 and 5B2, abottom substrate 7B, a top substrate 7A, and partition walls 8. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell 10 has a reversetrapezoid-shaped cross-sectional side view. The left electrodes 5A1 and5A2 and the right electrodes 5B1 and 5B2 are disposed on two partitionwalls 8, respectively. The dielectric layer 4 is disposed to cover theleft electrodes 5A1 and 5A2, the right electrodes 5B1 and 5B2, and thebottom substrate 7B. Besides, a hydrophobic layer 3 may be disposed onthe dielectric layer 4 as shown in FIG. 15A. The top substrate 7A isdisposed on the hydrophobic layer 3 so that the top substrate 7A isseparated from the partition wall 8 by the hydrophobic layer 3 and thedielectric layer 4. The top substrate 7A is disposed on the hydrophobiclayer 3 to be adjacent to the partition wall 8, the dielectric layer 4,the left electrodes 5A1 and 5A2, and the right electrodes 5B1 and 5B2.Thus, the top substrate 7A and the hydrophobic layer 3 define acompartment 9 to contain a polar light modulating medium 1 and anon-polar light modulating medium 2. In addition, the polar lightmodulating medium 1 and a non-polar light modulating medium 2 aresubstantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices. Thepartition walls 8 may be manufactured by semiconductor processes such asexposure, development, etching, and evaporation processes, or animprinting process as described above.

Further referring to FIG. 15A, electrodes 5A1 and 5A2 are interlaced toeach other as shown in a side view (FIG. 15B) and a top view (FIG. 15D)and comprise finger-shaped portions. Similarly, the right electrodes inFIG. 15A are separated to electrically connected electrodes 5B1 and 5B2,which are interlaced to each other as shown in a side view (FIG. 15C)and a top view (FIG. 15E). Alternatively, electrodes 5A and 5B arespirals and interlaced connected to each other as shown in FIG. 15F.This design may accurately control the interface position between thepolar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2. Specifically, theelectrodes 5A1 and 5A2 are controlled by an alternate currenttransformer, and the electrodes 5B1 and 5B2 are controlled by anotheralternative current transformer. In other words, the interlacedelectrodes 5A1 and 5A2 and the interlaced electrodes 5B1 and 5B2 arecontrolled by two independent AC transformers, respectively. When a biasvoltage is applied to the electrodes 5A1 and 5A2, the interface betweenthe polar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 contacts thehydrophobic layer 3 at a contact angle θ1. When a bias voltage isapplied to the electrodes 5B1 and 5B2, the interface between the polarand non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 contacts the hydrophobiclayer 3 at a contact angle θ2. Because the electrodes 5A and 5B areinterlaced, the interface between the polar and non-polar lightmodulating mediums 1 and 2 may not be located at a position notcorresponding to the electrodes. Accordingly, the interface between thepolar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 may be controlledat a position corresponding to one electrode, and the position and anglethereof may be accurately controlled. As a result, the electricallyswitchable light modulating cell 10 may accurately control a deflectionangle of a light traveling therethrough. In other embodiments, thepartition walls 8 tilting at an angle of 30° to 90° may simplify thefabrication of the interlaced electrodes.

The electrically switchable light modulating cell 10 in FIG. 15A mayfurther include a top electrode 6U on the top substrate 7A, as shown inFIG. 16A. The top electrode 6U is used to apply a voltage to the polarlight modulating medium 1. The left electrode in FIG. 16A is separatedinto electrodes 5A1 and 5A2, which are parallel to each other as shownin a side view (FIG. 16B) and a top view (FIG. 16D). The right electrodein FIG. 16A is separated into electrodes 5B1 and 5B2, which are parallelto each other as shown in a side view (FIG. 16C) and a top view (FIG.16D). As shown in FIG. 16D, the electrodes 5A1 are electricallyconnected to the electrodes 5B1, and the electrodes 5A2 is electricallyconnected to the electrodes 5B2, respectively. The adjacent electrodes5A1 and 5A2 (or 5B1 and 5B2) are separated by an equal distance ordifferent distances. The interface between the polar and non-polar lightmodulating media 1 and 2 may be controlled at a position correspondingto one electrode, and the position and angle thereof may be accuratelycontrolled. Specifically, the bias voltage between the top electrode 6Uand the electrodes 5A1 and 5B1 (or the electrodes 5A2 and 5B2) may makethe interface between the polar and non-polar light modulating media 1and 2 symmetrically tilt. In this embodiment, the electricallyswitchable light modulating cell 10 may modulate the focus, and tilt theinterface between the polar and non-polar light modulating media towarda right side or a left side. Because the electrodes 5A1 and 5A2 (and 5B1and 5B2) are interlaced, the interface between the polar and non-polarlight modulating mediums 1 and 2 may not be located at a position freeof the electrodes. As such, the position and angle of the interfacebetween the polar and non-polar light modulating media 1 and 2 may beaccurately controlled.

FIG. 17 shows an electrically switchable light modulating cell 10 in oneembodiment of the disclosure, which includes a polar light modulatingmedium 1, a non-polar light modulating medium 2, a hydrophobic layer 3,a dielectric layer 4, a left electrode 5A, a right electrode 5B, abottom substrate 7B, a top substrate 7A, and partition walls 8. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell 10 has a reversetrapezoid-shaped cross-sectional side view. The left electrode 5A andthe right electrode 5B disposed on two partition walls 8 extend on rightand left parts of the bottom substrate 7B, respectively. The dielectriclayer 4 is conformably disposed on the left electrode 5A, the rightelectrode 5B, and the bottom substrate 7B. The hydrophobic layer 3 maybe disposed on the dielectric layer 4 of the electrically switchablelight modulating cell 10. The top substrate 7A is disposed on thedielectric layer 4 so that the top substrate 7A is separated from theleft electrode 5A, the right electrode 5B, and the partition wall 8 bythe dielectric layer 4. Furthermore, the hydrophobic layer 3 helps tomove the interface between the polar and non-polar light modulatingmedia 1 and 2, thereby reducing the working voltage of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cell 10. The top substrate 7A and thehydrophobic layer 3 define a compartment 9 to contain a polar lightmodulating medium 1 and a non-polar light modulating medium 2.

Further referring to FIG. 17, the electrically switchable lightmodulating cell 10 may further include a top electrode 6U on the topsubstrate 7A. When a bias voltage is applied to the electrodes, theinterface between the polar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and2 contacts the hydrophobic layer 3 at a contact angle θ2. Because theelectrodes 5A and 5B are interlaced, the interface between the polar andnon-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 may not be located at aposition not corresponding to the electrodes. Accordingly, the interfacebetween the polar and non-polar light modulating mediums 1 and 2 may becontrolled at a position corresponding to one electrode, and theposition and angle thereof may be accurately controlled. Thus, theelectrically switchable light modulating cell 10 may accurately controla deflection angle of a light traveling therethrough. In otherembodiments, the partition walls 8 tilting at an angle of 30° to 90° maysimplify the fabrication of the interlaced electrodes.

FIG. 18 shows an electrically switchable light modulating cell 10 in oneembodiment of the disclosure, which includes a polar light modulatingmedium 1, a non-polar light modulating medium 2, a hydrophobic layer 3,a dielectric layer 4, a left electrode 5A, a right electrode 5B, abottom electrode 6D, a bottom substrate 7B, a top substrate 7A, andpartition walls 8. The electrically switchable light modulating cell 10has a reverse trapezoid-shaped cross-sectional side view. The leftelectrode 5A and the right electrode 5B disposed on two partition walls8 extend on right and left parts of the bottom substrate 7B,respectively. The bottom electrode 6D is disposed on the bottomsubstrate 7B. The dielectric layer 4 is disposed on the left electrode5A, the right electrode 5B, a part of the bottom substrate 7B, a part ofthe partition walls 8, and a part of the bottom electrode 6D. The topsubstrate 7A is disposed on the dielectric layer 4 so that the topsubstrate 7A is separated from the partition walls 8, the left electrode5A, and the right electrode 5B by the dielectric layer 4. The topsubstrate 7A and, the bottom electrode 6D, and the dielectric layer 4define a compartment 9 to contain a polar light modulating medium 1 anda non-polar light modulating medium 2. In addition, the polar lightmodulating medium 1 and a non-polar light modulating medium 2 aresubstantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices. Thedielectric layer 4 may be surface treated by a physical method, suchthat the dielectric layer 4 surface may have a roughness to reduce itssurface energy. Similarly, the dielectric layer 4 may be surface treatedby a chemical method to have a hydrophobic surface.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofthe preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it isintended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (aswould be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope ofthe appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so asto encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

1. An electrically switchable light modulating cell, comprising: a firstsubstrate; a first and second electrodes disposed on the firstsubstrate; a dielectric layer, formed on the first substrate, coveringthe first and second electrodes; a partition wall; a second substrate,disposed on the partition wall, comprising a third electrode; and afirst and second light modulating media filled in a compartment definedby the dielectric layer, the second substrate, and the partition wall,wherein the first light and second light modulating media aresubstantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices,wherein at least one of the second substrate and the partition wall iswettable by at least one of the first and second light modulating media.2. The electrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 1, whereinthe partition wall is disposed on the dielectric layer, and furthercomprises a light source.
 3. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 1, wherein the compartment is so dimensioned asto facilitate capillarity.
 4. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 2, wherein the light source comprises a coldcathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) backlight module, or an organic lightemitting diode (OLED) backlight module.
 5. The electrically switchablelight modulating cell of claim 1, wherein the first and secondelectrodes are of different electric potential.
 6. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cell of claim 1, wherein one of the firstand second light modulating media comprises a gaseous medium.
 7. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 1, wherein thethird electrode comprises a segmented electrode.
 8. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cell of claim 1, wherein the third electrodecomprises a common electrode.
 9. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 1, wherein the partition wall is formed by amethod selected from the group consisting of lithography, embossing,stamping, laser ablation, sand blasting, and [direct or indirect]printing.
 10. The electrically switchable light modulating cell of claim1, wherein the partition wall is formed by injection molding.
 11. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second light modulating media are driven by voltage differenceamong the first, second and third electrodes.
 12. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cell of claim 1, wherein the compartmentcomprises a stepped structure.
 13. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 1, wherein the compartment comprises at leasttwo portions with different cross-sectional views.
 14. An electricallyswitchable light modulating cell, comprising: a first substrate; a firstand second electrodes disposed on the first substrate; a dielectriclayer, formed on the first substrate, covering the first and secondelectrodes; a partition wall; a second substrate, disposed on thepartition wall, comprising a third electrode; a first and second lightmodulating media filled in a compartment defined by the dielectriclayer, the second substrate, and the partition wall, wherein the firstlight and second light modulating media are substantially immiscible andare of different refractive indices; and a layer formed on at least oneof the second substrate and the partition wall, wherein the layer iswettable by at least one of the first and second light modulating media.15. An electrically switchable light modulating cell, comprising: afirst substrate; a first and second electrodes disposed on the firstsubstrate; a dielectric layer, formed on the first substrate, coveringthe first and second electrodes; a partition wall; a second substrate,disposed on the partition wall, comprising a third electrode; a firstand second light modulating media filled in a compartment defined by thedielectric layer, the second substrate, and the partition wall, whereinthe first light and second light modulating media are substantiallyimmiscible and are of different refractive indices, wherein thecompartment is dimensioned as to facilitate capillarity.
 16. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 15, wherein thepartition wall is wettable by the at least one of the first and secondlight modulating media.
 17. The electrically switchable light modulatingcell of claim 15, wherein the compartment comprises a stepped structure.18. The electrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 15,wherein the compartment comprises at least two portions with differentcross-sectional views.
 19. The electrically switchable light modulatingcell of claim 15, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposedon the upper surface of the first substrate.
 20. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cell of claim 15, wherein the first andsecond electrodes are disposed on the same level of the first substrate.21. A light modulating device comprising a plurality of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cells of claim
 15. 22. The light modulatingdevice of claim 21, wherein the plurality of electrically switchablelight modulating cells are arranged in a hive-shaped, delta-shapedshape, an array of triangles, an array of rectangles, an array of ovals,an array of circles, an array of squares, an array of diamonds, or anarray of trenches.
 23. The electrically switchable light modulating cellof claim 15, wherein the first and second electrodes comprise sheetconductive material.
 24. The electrically switchable light modulatingcell of claim 15, wherein one of the first and second electrodes issurrounded by the other one of the first and second electrodes.
 25. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 15, wherein thefirst and second electrodes are spiral-shaped and interlaced with eachother.
 26. The electrically switchable light modulating cell of claim15, wherein the cross-section of the compartment is circular,cylindrical, triangular, diamond, square, rectangular, or hexagonalshaped.
 27. The electrically switchable light modulating cell of claim15, wherein the partition wall is funnel-shaped.
 28. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cell of claim 15, further comprising ahigh-contact-angle material layer comformally formed on at least part ofthe partition wall.
 29. A three-dimensional display device, comprising alight modulating device including a plurality of the electricallyswitchable light modulating cells of claim
 15. 30. An image displaysystem, comprising a light modulating device including a plurality ofthe electrically switchable light modulating cells of claim
 15. 31. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 15, wherein thefirst light modulating medium is adapted to form a droplet, wherein thefocal length of the droplet is adjustable in accordance with theelectric potential difference across the first, the second and the thirdelectrode.
 32. A method for fabricating a light modulating device,comprising: providing a substrate; forming a transparent conductivelayer on the substrate; patterning the transparent conductive layer;forming a dielectric layer on the patterned transparent conductivelayer; forming a high-contact-angle material layer on the dielectriclayer; forming a partition layer on the high-contact-angle materiallayer to define a plurality of cells; filling the plurality of cellswith a light modulating medium; and attaching a second substrate to thepartition layer to seal the plurality of cells.
 33. The method forfabricating a light modulating device of claim 32, further comprising,prior to attaching a second substrate to the partition layer to seal theplurality of cells, filling the plurality of cells with another lightmodulating medium, wherein the two light modulating media aresubstantially immiscible and of different refractive indices.
 34. Themethod for fabricating a light modulating device of claim 32, whereinforming a partition layer comprises molding a partition material into aplurality of protrusions.
 35. The method for fabricating a lightmodulating device of claim 32, wherein forming a transparent conductivelayer on the substrate comprises inkjet printing or screen printing atransparent conductive layer.
 36. A method for fabricating a lightmodulating device, comprising: providing a first transparent substrate;forming a partition layer on the first transparent substrate; patterningthe partition layer to expose a part of the first transparent substrateand to define a plurality of cells; forming a transparent conductivelayer on the patterned partition layer; forming a dielectric layer tocover the transparent conductive layer and the exposed part of firsttransparent substrate; filling the plurality of cells with a lightmodulating medium; and attaching a second transparent substrate to thedielectric layer to seal the plurality of cells.
 37. The method forfabricating a light modulating device of claim 36, further comprising,prior to attaching a second transparent substrate to the dielectriclayer to seal the plurality of cells, filling the plurality of cellswith another light modulating medium, wherein the two light modulatingmedia are substantially immiscible and of different refractive indices.38. The method for fabricating a light modulating device of claim 36,wherein forming a transparent conductive layer on the patternedpartition layer comprises coating a transparent conductive layer byshadow masking.
 39. The method for fabricating a light modulating deviceof claim 36, wherein the first transparent substrate is flexible and istransportable in a roll-to-roll manner.
 40. An electrically switchablelight modulating cell, comprising: a first substrate; a partition walldisposed on the first substrate, wherein the partition wall comprises afirst and second electrodes; a dielectric layer formed on the firstsubstrate and the first and second electrodes; a second substratedisposed on the partition wall to be adjacent to dielectric layer, andthe first and second electrodes, wherein the second substrate and thedielectric layer define a compartment; and a first and second lightmodulating media filled in the compartment, wherein the first and thesecond light modulating media are substantially immiscible and are ofdifferent refractive indices.
 41. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 40, further comprising a third electrodedisposed on the second substrate.
 42. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 40, further comprising a high-contact-anglematerial layer formed on the dielectric layer.
 43. The electricallyswitchable light modulating cell of claim 42, wherein each of the firstand second electrodes comprise at least two interlaced finger-shapedportions, wherein the finger-shaped interlaced portions are electricallyconnected to an AC or DC power supply.
 44. The electrically switchablelight modulating cell of claim 43, wherein each of the finger-shapedportions comprises a plurality of fingers, and the spacing between twoadjacent fingers are non-uniform.
 45. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 43, wherein the first electrode comprises afirst and second portions, and the second electrode comprises a thirdand fourth portions, wherein the first and third portions are disposedon one horizontal and the second and fourth portions are disposed onanother horizontal, wherein the first portion is electrically connectedto the fourth portion and the second portion is electrically connectedto the third portion.
 46. The electrically switchable light modulatingcell of claim 45, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourthportions comprises a plurality of sub-portions spaced apart from eachother, and the plurality of sub-portions of the first portion areinterlaced with the plurality of sub-portions of the second portion, andthe plurality of sub-portions of the third portion are interlaced withthe plurality of sub-portions of the fourth portion.
 47. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 46, wherein theplurality of sub-portions are spaced apart from each other atnon-uniform distances.
 48. An electrically switchable light modulatingcell, comprising: a first substrate; a partition wall disposed on thefirst substrate; a first electrode, disposed on part of the partitionwall and on part of the first substrate, comprising two portionsinterlaced with each other; a second electrode, disposed on another partof the partition wall and on another part of the first substrate,comprising two portions interlaced with each other; a dielectric layerconformably formed on the first and second electrodes; a secondsubstrate, wherein the second substrate and the dielectric layer definea compartment; and a first and second light modulating media filled inthe compartment, wherein the first and second light modulating media aresubstantially immiscible and are of different refractive indices. 49.The electrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 48, furthercomprising a third electrode formed on the second substrate.
 50. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 48, wherein thefirst and second light modulating media are adapted to adjust thedirections of light beams travelling from the first substrate to thesecond substrate in accordance with an electric potential differenceacross the first electrode and the second electrode.
 51. Theelectrically switchable light modulating cell of claim 50, wherein thelight beams alternately arrive at either the left eye of a viewer or theright eye of the viewer to form an autostereoscopic image perceivable tothe viewer.
 52. The electrically switchable light modulating cell ofclaim 48, further comprising a high-contact-angle material layer formedon the dielectric layer.
 53. A method for fabricating a light modulatingdevice, comprising: providing a first transparent substrate; forming afirst and second electrodes on the first transparent substrate; forminga dielectric layer formed on the first substrate to cover the first andsecond electrodes; forming a partition wall on the dielectric layer;forming a high-contact-angle material layer on the partition wall,wherein the high-contact-angle material layer is disposed on at leastpart of the partition wall; forming a second substrate on the partitionwall, wherein the second substrate comprises a third electrode; a firstand second light modulating media filled in a compartment defined by thedielectric layer, the second substrate, the high-contact-angle materiallayer, and the partition wall, wherein the first light and second lightmodulating media are substantially immiscible and are of differentrefractive indices.
 54. The electrically switchable light modulatingcell of claim 53, wherein one of the first and second light modulatingmedia is a gaseous medium.
 55. The electrically switchable lightmodulating cell of claim 53, wherein the third electrode comprises acommon electrode.
 56. The electrically switchable light modulating cellof claim 53, wherein the third electrode comprises a segmentedelectrode.